Mystic Pop-up Bar explained

Native Name:
Hangul:쌍갑포차
Hanja:雙甲布車
Rr:Ssanggappocha
Lk:Twin Tops Bar
Director:Jeon Chang-geun
Music:Gaemi
Country:South Korea
Language:Korean
Num Episodes:12
Executive Producer:Oh Hwan-min
Producer:Kim Bo-kyung
Runtime:70 minutes
Budget:[1]
Network:JTBC

Mystic Pop-up Bar[2] is a 2020 South Korean television series starring Hwang Jung-eum, Yook Sung-jae and Choi Won-young.[3] Based on the Daum webtoon Twin Tops Bar by Bae Hye-soo,[4] it is the first series to air on JTBC's Wednesday–Thursday time slot in eight years.[5] The series aired from May 20 to June 25, 2020.[6] [7]

Synopsis

Mystic Pop-up Bar tells the story of a mysterious pojangmacha (outdoor drinking establishment) run by an ill-tempered woman named Weol-ju (Hwang Jung-eum), an innocent part-time employee named Han Kang-bae (Yook Sung-jae), and a former afterlife detective known as Chief Gwi (Choi Won-young) who visit customers in their dreams to help resolve their problems.[8] Kang-bae has a unique ability that is useful to Weol-ju - with a touch, he can make people pour out all their troubles. This is very useful to Weol-ju who needs to settle the grudges of 100,000 souls.

Cast

Main

A hot-tempered woman who is the owner of Mystic Pop-up Bar. 500 years ago, Weol-ju healed the Crown Prince through his dreams but was falsely accused of seducing him, and was targeted by an assassin who killed Weol-ju's mother instead. Weol-ju's sin was committing suicide on the Sacred Tree, causing it to lose its power on a conflict that took 100,000 lives. For the past 500 years, she was sent to the Living Realm to settle the grudges of 100,000 souls and comfort them as a punishment to atone for her past sin.

A cheerful young man who has the ability to make people confess the truth by making physical contact with them. Hence, he creeps the people around him out and grew up being an outcast. He worked with Weol-ju as she promised him to get rid of this unique ability in exchange. He is eventually revealed to be the spirit of Weol-ju and Yi-Hon's unborn child which was cursed with the Sorrow of the Sacred Tree.

Formerly the Crown Prince who fell in love with Weol-ju but was unable to protect her, so he slew the instigator of her death, his former best friend, Kim Won-hyung. Once worked for the Afterlife Police Agency, he was given a chance to work as the manager at Mystic Pop-up Bar to be at Weol-ju's side.

Supporting

Realm of the Dead

As the God of the Underworld, she is the one who executed the 500-years-long punishment on Weol-ju.

In his past life, he was a minister at the palace, mentor of the Crown Prince and father of Won-hyung. His loyalty and dedication for the prince had driven him away from his son. In the present, he became an angel of death who is Chief Gwi's best friend and frequently visit Weol-ju's pop-up bar.

He is Lord Kim Jin's son and Crown Prince Yi-hon's best friend, however his coup d'état was uncovered and he was beheaded by the Crown Prince on his sister's and prince's wedding day. In present day, he escaped from his punishment as an evil spirit to get revenge upon Crown Prince Yi-hon and Weol-ju.

The goddess of childbirth and fate. She is a close friend of Weol-ju.

Kapeul Mart

The only human who is immune to Kang-bae's ability. She was Chairman Choi's personal bodyguard but after her encounter with Weol-ju and Kang-bae, she was fired from her job and eventually became a security guard of Kapeul Mart. Although Kang-bae and Yeo-rin love each other, her trauma with her past boyfriends causes her to deny her feelings. She is later revealed to be the reincarnation the spirit of the Cinnabar in a nearby cave, a mineral that protects against evil.

A brash coworker of Han Kang-bae and the closest Kang-bae has to a friend. He lives with his grandmother and cares about her a lot. It is later revealed he stems from a long line of working-class ancestry.

A coworker of Han Kang-bae who is often seen together with Jin-dong.

Roommate and seemingly only friend of Yeo-rin. She often tries to give Yeo-rin (conventional) dating-advice and pushes her towards being assertive with Kang-bae.

A friendly employee of Kapeul Mart who works at a station handing out samples of grilled meat to customers.

Special appearances

Production

The first script reading took place in August 2019 at JTBC Building in Sangam-dong, Seoul, South Korea.[10]

The filming began in September 2019 and ended on February 28, 2020.[11]

Original soundtrack

Mystic Pop-up Bar OST
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Various Artists
Released:2020
Genre:Soundtrack

Part 5

Ratings

+ Average TV viewership ratings
Original broadcast dateAverage audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[12]
Nationwide
1May 20, 20203.610%
2May 21, 20201.884%
3May 27, 20203.914%
4May 28, 2020
5June 3, 20203.141%3.769%
6June 4, 20202.485%
7June 10, 20203.237%3.562%
8June 11, 20202.941%2.990%
9June 17, 20203.139%3.076%
10June 18, 20203.009%3.095%
11June 24, 20202.782%3.216%
12June 25, 20203.558%3.603%
Average

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Koo . Dae-young . May 22, 2020 . 삼화네트웍스, JTBC 드라마 '쌍갑포차' 공급계약 체결 . Samhwa Networks signs supply contract for JTBC drama ‘Mystic Pop-up Bar’ . 2023-12-31 . etoday.co.kr . ko.
  2. Web site: JTBC worldwide : Mystic Pop-up Bar. JTBC. April 23, 2020.
  3. Web site: JTBC's "Twin Pub" Confirms Hwang Jung-eum, Yook Sung-jae, Choi Won-young and Lee Joon-hyuk. August 28, 2019. HanCinema. March 22, 2020.
  4. Web site: JTBC Turns Webtoons "Itaewon Class" and "Twin Pub" Into Dramas. June 12, 2019. HanCinema. March 22, 2020.
  5. Web site: JTBC May Revive Wednesday - Thursday Dramas With "Twin Pub". November 5, 2019. HanCinema. March 22, 2020.
  6. Web site: A-reum. Jang. 황정음x육성재 '쌍갑포차', 5월20일 첫방…'너도 나도 甲' 포스터. March 19, 2020. March 22, 2020. News1. Naver. ko.
  7. Web site: Choi. Ji-won. Hwang Jeong-um, Yook Sung-jae offer mysterious counseling at 'Mystic Pop-Up Bar'. May 19, 2020. The Korea Herald. May 24, 2020.
  8. Web site: Lee. C. '"Mystic Pop-Up Bar" Cast Talks About What To Expect And Wishes Well For Yook Sungjae's Enlistment' . May 18, 2020. Soompi. March 22, 2020.
  9. Web site: Kain. Erik. '쌍갑포차' 황정음의 한풀이, 왜 하필 10만 명? 전생 어땠길래. May 19, 2020. JTBC News. ko.
  10. Web site: Tae. Yu-na. '쌍갑포차' 황정음X육성재, 첫 대본 리딩 현장서 '찰떡 케미'. February 27, 2020. March 29, 2020. Hankyung. ko.
  11. Web site: 전회 사전 제작 '쌍갑포차' 촬영 종료…"후반 작업 박차". February 28, 2020. March 22, 2020. JTBC News. Naver. ko.
  12. Web site: Nielsen Korea. AGB Nielsen Media Research. ko. May 20, 2020.